Dear Baker families,
We are so excited to begin the 2023-2024 school year on Monday! It was wonderful to see students, families and teachers in the building today, and the halls, classrooms and outdoor spaces buzzing with activity. Intake conferences are tomorrow, and if you aren't able to attend, do not worry, you will have many other opportunities to connect with your child's teacher and classmates.
Today our faculty & staff built upon the work that was started two years ago with Ryan Williams-Virden and Beatriz Alcazar to create a restorative culture at Baker. In addition to reviewing some of the concepts of restorative practices, we talked about our core values that drive us in life and work. Many similar themes including: kindness, empathy, love, authenticity and honesty emerged. We also explored the concepts of a liberatory consciousness and how it can help us make Baker a more equitable institution. This work centered our faculty and staff around the importance of community, relational connections, equity and personal accountability. Ryan imparted energy and enthusiasm to our group. We know that a school that prioritizes relationships is successful, and we are being intentional about forging those amongst ourselves as well as our students and families.
We are also looking forward to the Back-To-School Social tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully some of this oppressive heat will have dissipated and we can enjoy popsicles together out on the field. We have 44 new students to welcome this school year and we are thrilled to have so many new families joining our community. Please join us in welcoming them.
Speaking of welcomes, I also want to share the great news that Kate Alpert has just been hired as our Marketing & Content Specialist. Kate will be working closely with our Enrollment Management Team to help develop strategies and action steps to attract more prospective families to Baker as well as helping retain our current families. A big part of her job will be telling Baker's story and the wonderful work that all of you do inside the building. For those of you who don't know Kate, she is a current Baker parent and the former co-chair of the BPO (Baker Parent Organization). She will be stepping down from that role as BPO chair so that she can dedicate herself to the new role. Please join me in welcoming Kate to her new role at Baker!
This week's bulletin has some reminders for the start of school on Monday as well as lots of other useful information.
We can’t wait to see your children on Monday!
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Mason Rocca
Interim Head of School
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First Day of School Drop Off Instructions |
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We are so excited for our first day with students! It is important for young learners to become independent and confident in their learning spaces. The classroom community begins to build as soon as our students cross the threshold; we ask, then, that parents and guardians say goodbye outside of the school building.
Our younger students (Kindergarten and 1st grade) will be met by their teachers the first couple of days under the portico, but all other students will proceed directly to their classrooms.
When the weather is nice, Pre-K will have a slightly different start, with drop off at the play area adjacent to the PK classrooms on the Northeast side of the building. Monday's weather looks nice, so drop off for Pre-K should be there. On rainy days, Pre-K drop off will be the same as the rest of the school.
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Before Care is included in the cost of tuition and does not require registration. Before Care runs from 7:30-8:30 am every school day, including half days. |
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BASE (Baker After School Enrichment) Registration |
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BASE is ready to support your family needs from day one! Registration is open for all BASE programming this fall: BASE Program Packages, Enrichments, Drop-In Care, Private Music Lessons and Semi-Private Art Classes.
All Enrichment classes begin the week of September, 5th. Enrichment classes are filling quickly. Register for your desired classes today!
New this year - Our BASE Early Childhood room has moved down the hall to the right! Located right next door to the Kindergarten room, this new location offers more space for our after school cohort.
Ms. Toole will once again be teaching small group art classes after school this fall. Please see below for class descriptions.
Creativity Camp
(Grades 1st-4th)
Mondays, 3:30-4:30pm from Sept 11 to Oct 30 - 7 classes
In this class we will be using children’s literature as a jumping off point for creativity explorations in 2 and 3-D including drawing, painting, clay, collage and 3-D.
Clay, Cardboard & Creativity
(Grades 3rd - 7th)
Thursdays, 3:30-4:30pm from Sept 7 to Dec 14 - 12 classes
In this class we will be doing all things 3-D. We will focus on earth clay as well as constructing whatever you can imagine out of the humble, but so inspiring medium of cardboard.
It’s a Small World - Miniature Building
(Grades 3rd - 7th)
Mondays, 3:30-4:30pm from Nov 6 to Dec 11 - 6 classes
In this class we will be using natural and recycled materials and our imagination to create a miniature world. Ms. Toole will be there to guide you and teach you tips and tricks for creating your tiny sculptures.
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Carpool Map / Drop Off & Pick Up Times |
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School begins at 8:30 a.m.
Morning Carpool/Drop Off runs from 8:15 - 8:30 a.m.
Afternoon Carpool/Pick Up is at 3:00 p.m. for Preschool and Kindergarten students
Afternoon Carpool/Pick Up runs from 3:20 - 3:30 p.m. for students in Grades 1-8
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Front Office Check-In Safety Protocols |
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All visitors - whether parents, alumni, vendors or service professionals - must be authorized by the School Office before proceeding to a meeting on school grounds.
Beginning Monday, August 28th, Baker will be using a new security check-in system, Raptor Visitor Management System, to screen and track everyone who enters the building. This system, which was chosen by Baker's Safety & Security Taskforce in conjunction with the Wilmette Police Department, is an important step in keeping Baker safe and secure and we are excited to start implementing it.
We ask that the next time you are at Baker, please stop by the front office to have your driver's license scanned. Passports and state IDs can be submitted if a drivers license is not available. The system cross checks the ID against the sex offender registries of all 50 states. You will only have to scan your ID once since then you will be in the school database going forward. Visitor badges will be printed through this system so no longer will anyone have to sign in and wear a lanyard. Please note that both new families and returning families will need to have their licenses scanned the first time they enter the building.
We know there may be some questions about this new system, so please feel free to reach out to communications@bakerdemschool.org with any questions.
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BPO - First Day of School Coffee |
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Please join other parents on the West playground after drop off on Monday morning to learn about ways to get involved this year and to catch up over coffee.
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Class Parent Volunteers Needed |
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Hello Baker Parents! We are currently recruiting people to serve as class parents for the upcoming school year. Each class will have 2-3 parents in the class parent role, who will work together as a team to create community and support teachers. Time commitment is flexible and the role is lots of fun. There will be a brief informational meeting at the start of the year to get everyone oriented and answer questions. If you are interested in being a class parent, please submit your name through this link: https://uic.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_begWULNMTwqMQDA
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Baker Spirit Wear is back and available for purchase online! Place your order today!
Our first Baker Spirit Wear Friday kicks off on Friday, September 8th. Purchase your Baker Spirit Wear today to be ready for Baker Spirit Fridays (and everyday of the week).
How does it work?
1. Click on the link below and look through the items.
2. Please note that this spirit wear is for both kids and adults!
3. Place your order online.
4. Orders will be shipped directly to the buyer's home address listed on the order in 3-4 weeks.
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